Innovation Ambassador: Daniel Stevens and Matthew Mauriello

Editor's note: The University of Delaware is diligently working to enhance infrastructure and support available to campus innovators. As part of this effort, the U.S. National Science Foundation's Accelerating Research Translation program (NSF ART program) at UD is investing in capacity-building resources to boost the translation of UD research discoveries into novel technologies of benefit to Delawareans and the nation. UD is an inaugural member of the NSF ART program.

Imagine if you were sitting in a concert hall and, with the wave of a hand or press of a button, you could cue an instrument to begin playing on stage.

Two University of Delaware professors have created an innovative device that puts this musical power into the hands of children, allowing them to select a children's song that they want to listen to, and then press buttons to add or subtract layers of sound to suit their sensory needs and preferences.

Daniel Stevens, director of the School of Music and professor of music theory, and Matthew Mauriello, assistant professor of computer and information sciences, developed the listening device and modular music library - called uCue - to help children with autism spectrum disorder engage with music on their own terms.

Some individuals with autism experience sound sensitivities that impact their ability to benefit from early formative music experiences. With their work, Stevens and Mauriello aim to change that.

"We hope our device will allow them to engage with music, giving them the same access to become musicians or composers, or to simply enjoy listening to music with their family," said Mauriello.

Stevens and Mauriello, named Innovation Ambassadors, are among a growing cohort of UD problem solvers who are passionate about the ability of academic invention to benefit society.